Start to control 4:

http://www.geocities.com/okansas.geo/trot2000/part1.html

-- Spike (meglin@juno.com), December 03, 2000

Answers

I'll get the discussion started.

At the start, I flipped over the map, figured out the route to one and started that direction. I resisted the temptation to look at the entire course until after I'd gone a couple hundred meters. When I looked at the entire course, I saw two possible skips -- 7 and 8 or 27 and 28. I didn't see any non-consecutive skips that looked good. Skipping 7 and 8 looked quite good. But, there is something to be said for skipping controls later in the course (when you are more likely to be tired and running slower).

The pack was moving quickly toward the first control. Gary Thompson had the lead and was flying along the road.

I was one of the first to the first control and took a slightly-left- of-the-straight-line route to two. I think I was the only one who did that. Most (all) of the rest went a bit to the right. I think the routes are about even, but since I was running alone I probably didn't run as fast. I'd dropped a few spots by the time I punched at two.

On the downhill after three, I was right behind Rich Ruid. Rich moved quite well down the hill. It was a reminder that downhill running is one of my weaknesses.

-- Spike (meglin@juno.com), December 04, 2000.

The starters were all standing around in a triangle next to their maps. I had strategically placed myself in a part of the start area that I believed would be closest to the first control. I was more or less correct. Then the gun went off! The pack quickly determined the direction to the first control and the pace was fairly high already. That was a little different than last year's Trot. There wasn't that reluctance to take the early lead that we've seen before. Perhaps it was because there was no reason to skip any of the first few controls. Maybe it was a feeling that this Trot was wide open and an early leader could get out of sight and out of the minds of pursuers. Whatever the reason, it was crowded and fast on the way to the first control. Perhaps everyone anticipated that there would be only one punch... If they did, they were indeed correct! I ran down near the grave and into the control area. I was in the top five at control 1, I think. Snorkel was right there and actually conceded the punch to me... a fellow relay member. It was a gesture that I'll remember for years to come.

I ran slightly to the right of the line to control 2. I think there was someone right behind me.

To number 3 I ran through 2 fields and approached the control from the north. Since there were high stalks in the field, I was unable to run very straight lines, but worked my way through my chosen route as best I could. I was certainly getting a feel for the rather general contour mapping. My approach to number 3 wasn't that easy.

To number 4 I wanted to run straight, but wandered just slightly. I believe that I had the lead at this point because I didn't see anyone ahead of me. That lead was to disappear at control 6...

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), December 05, 2000.

The pack quickly determined the direction to the first control and the pace was fairly high already.

I was surpised at how fast the pack went for the first couple of controls. Maybe I should have expected it. A mass start tends to get people to go fast. Gary Thompson was pushing the pace on the way to one. It felt like the sort of pace I'd run at the start of a 6 km red course.

As I ran on the road to 6, I told Dan I thought we (i.e. all of us) were going too fast.

-- Michael (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), December 05, 2000.

I was surprised by how fast the pace was from the start. I barely had time to verify that the herd was moving in the right direction, much less navigate. Up to control 3, I just followed he train, steadily losing places. By 5, I had decided to settle into my own pace, and was at the back of the lead group of about 10.

-- Eric Buckley (ejbuckley@earthlink.net), December 06, 2000.

Start to 1

.727 km 4:48.37 6:36.38 min/km

I had determined beforehand to see if I wanted to skip the first control, then how I would navigate to it. As others dashed into the small reentrant and across the field, I joined in, having quickly figured out I wasn't skipping #1. While running through the field, and down the road, I looked ahead to see which were the best to skip. I decided on 7 and 8 because I'd had difficulty navigating in that area of the map and it also looked like the most distance saved. I just followed the pack to the first control. Was aware of running down the road and along the fenceline, but missed seeing the grave. And only one punch? Had to stand in line for a small bit.

1 to 2

.510 km 1.237 km 3:18.25 8:06.62 6:28.73 min/km 6:33.25 cum min/km

Continued to follow others with only a rough idea of where I was going. Pace still faster than my regular, but still not that aware of how much faster. To the right of the line, out briefly along the road. Continued a little further right to the path that most were taking and was by myself fighting the underbrush a little more. Met Mike Eglinski at the control. Looking ahead at the map to plan routes to the next control, I see I want to use the clearing corner for my attack point.

2 to 3

.562 km 1.80 km 4:09.03 12:15.65 7:22.72 min/km 6:48.69 cum min/km

Roughly east to the clearing, following what I think were Rick's two white guys. While they chose a route around the edge of the tall grass, I tried taking the straight line through it to where the fields are close together. After about a minute or two of the nonsense of high knee lift I bumped into a tractor trail going to my left and slightly backwards, but could see the field edge. By the time I got to the field edge, I noticed the same two runners just in front of me. Saved no time and used more energy. Not precise taking a bearing from the second field corner, more watching others and keeping my eye out for the tree. Slowed down as I got closer, also thinking ahead to next control.

3 to 4

.495 km 2.295 km 4:34.87 16:50.52 9:15.29 min/km 7:20.31 cum min/km

Took longer and it felt like it. West and downhill crossing the rocky ground. Crossed the creek with others at the bridge, then a quick right, watching out for the spur that I want to ascend, aware of possible parallel error with the two reentrants. Stay low until I cross the mouth of the reentrant, then ascend on the left side of the spur. Others seem to be moving faster below me and to my left. Again, slow as I approach the control. I'm sure the hill helped with that, as well. Vague recollection of others running with me. See that the next contol should be easy, but aware that 6 is in an area I had trouble with in the past. Need to be careful...

-- Fritz (fpmenninger@hotmail.com), December 07, 2000.